Ecotourism and Sustainable Economy: Case Study of the Pedra do Altar Archaeological Complex in Barra de Santana/PB

Resumo

Objectives: To analyze the potentiality of the Archaeological Complex of Pedra do Altar as ecological tourism through the understanding of the cultural heritage as a new source of tourist attractions and economic development for small towns, the identification of ecological trails related to the economy for sustainability and preservation of natural space and the relationship of Ecological Economy, Payment for Environmental Services and Tourism in the global/local scale. Methodology: The research is a case study regarding the potential of ecological tourism that the Archaeological Complex Pedra do Altar in Barra de Santana/PB exerts, for this, it was performed a survey of works related to the proposed theme in the last 5 years (2017 - 2022), the capture of images in the locality, the preparation of maps of use of the study area and the construction of alternatives that enable ecological tourism and payment for environmental services in the locality. Final considerations: The private organization charges a fee, which can be considered a PES, because it reverts to the maintenance of the site to better serve tourists, however it is not institutionalized. The visitors recognize tourism as a profitable and sustainable activity for local development, however, it is necessary to rethink the activity based on the conceptions of ecological economy, together with public management.